Here's more information: It appears that the postgresql.conf file is not being used... executing a show all; from psql I see that the parameters are using the default values and not paying attention to the settings in the postgresql.conf file. The config_file has a value of c:/program files/PostgreSQL/8.3-rc1/ data/postgresql.conf and the data_directory is c:/program files/PostgreSQL/8.3-rc1/data I verified data is being placed under that directory and the database is working as expected. I also verified that changes in the hba_file (setting it to a trust access) works. hba_file has a value of c:/program files/PostgreSQL/8.3-rc1/data/ pg_hba.conf Why aren't the changes in the postgresql.conf file reflected in the show all; (of course after a restart via the service)? Just a side note the executable path in the service shown below also looks correct. "C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.3-rc1\bin\pg_ctl.exe" runservice -w -N "pgsql-8.3-rc1" -D "C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.3-rc1\data\" Is the path to the postgresql.conf file handled differently then the path to the pg_hba.conf file? Thanks ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 4: Have you searched our list archives? http://archives.postgresql.org/